While Nike and adidas have dominated the sportswear industry in recent years, New Balance has emerged as the cultural zeitgeist leader in an era that has been dominated by sportswear giants. In spite of the fact that the brand never set out to be part of hype culture, it is ironic that, ironically, it has turned out that it has become one of the most hyped brands on the market today.
It’s no secret that New Balance sneakers have come a long way. As a company based in Massachusetts, New Balance Arch Support Company was founded in 1906, a state it still calls home. The company eventually stopped focusing on prescription footwear, switched to performance running shoes, and became a multibillion dollar footwear juggernaut in the process. Sounds unlikely? That’s only half the story. Over the years, New Balance has also perfected a rare form of footwear alchemy, churning out chunky, geriatric-friendly sneakers that are worn by “supermodels in London and dads in Ohio”—along with a growing cohort of downtown scene makers, jet-setting fashion insiders, and just about everyone who is famously stylish.
I would like to start by showing you the 5 most popular New Balance shoes in the whole world as of today.
1, The New Balance 574
While New Balance’s rise to the top of the sneaker world has been bolstered by a number of buzzy collaborations, it’s still most people’s favorite sneaker: the humble, widely available 574. Two reasons make the no-frills silhouette one of the briskly-selling mainstays of your local mall: timeless good looks and a price that’s under $100. In many people’s eyes, the 574 remains the ideal entry point into the New Balance universe, an approachable, affordable way to experience what the company still excels at.
2, The New Balance 530
Whenever you think of a prototypical dad shoe, how do you make it feel even dadlier? You have to do a lot if you are New Balance, you introduce the 530, which ditches the brand’s legendary gray suede uppers and replaces them with pristine white mesh, giving this early-’90s classic a sporty, yet ready-to-mow-the-lawn look. In other words, the 530 is a sneaker that hits many of the biggest footwear trends of 2023, but in a slightly cleaner package that hits the mark.
3, The New Balance 650
<div><br class=”Apple-interchange-newline”>Almost a decade ago, Teddy Santis, fresh off his role as the creative director of New Balance’s MADE in USA sub-line, resurrected an all-but-forgotten classic from the company’s archives when he resurrected the 550. Retro basketball became ubiquitous among the double-knee warriors not long after, inspiring plenty of memes in the process. In the end, though, it feels like the 550’s lesser-‘grammed sibling has a lot more relevance today. Love ’em or hate ’em, there’s no denying their influence. Padded ankles maintain the cushy feel that made the original such a hit, and the whole outfit comes in a range of era-appropriate colors. </div>
Almost a decade ago, Teddy Santis, fresh off his role as the creative director of New Balance’s MADE in USA sub-line, resurrected an all-but-forgotten classic from the company’s archives when he resurrected the 550. Retro basketball became ubiquitous among the double-knee warriors not long after, inspiring plenty of memes in the process. In the end, though, it feels like the 550’s lesser-‘grammed sibling has a lot more relevance today. Love ’em or hate ’em, there’s no denying their influence. Padded ankles maintain the cushy feel that made the original such a hit, and the whole outfit comes in a range of era-appropriate colors.
4, The New Balance 327
Before the performance revolution of the ‘90s, constructing the perfect running shoe was pretty straightforward: plop a suede upper on top of a thick, ridged sole, and you’re good to go. A wedge-shaped silhouette infused with metallic hardware and an exploding logo, the New Balance 327 is inspired by track sneakers from that era. The collection debuted on the runway in a high-octane collaboration with Casablanca, and has continued to endear itself to fashion’s elite-and to eagle-eyed followers.
5, The New Balance 992
Although Steve Jobs’ association with the 992 has certainly contributed to its legend—the Apple majordomo’s daily uniform has elevated the style into popular consciousness—even so, the sneaker would still be a classic even without his endorsement. It was first released in 2006 to celebrate New Balance’s 100th anniversary and remains one of the most sought after silhouettes in the ever-growing pantheon of the brand’s hits, and for this reason it has been used as a canvas for some of its most popular collaborations over the past few years.
